Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 18, 1990 TAG: 9005180828
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: bill brill
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Terry Holland never got such a greeting for any of his appearances before the Virginia Student Aid Foundation. Nor has George Welsh.
That type of greeting is reserved for coaches whose lifetime record is 0-0.
Joe Mark, the executive secretary of VSAF, had introduced UVa's 29-year-old basketball coach by saying: "He's one of us; he's one of you all. And he's going to prove he's the man."
Then, Jones was introduced as "J.J."
The UVa faithful turned out in large - perhaps record - numbers Wednesday for Jones' initial appearance in Roanoke since his appointment last month.
They greeted him warmly. Clearly the controversy over the selection process has subsided, and the old grads made it apparent they want Jeff Jones to succeed.
At one table, a group of men were talking about the glory days at UVa, the Final Four and Ralph Sampson. And, of course, Jeff Jones.
Were Jones not an alumnus, skepticism would abound. But the VSAF members listened attentively, and the new coach told them what they wanted to hear.
Recruiting has become virtually a sport of its own, and if there is a delegation that loves to talk recruiting, it's the large contributors. They perceived recruiting - keeping the blue-chippers at home - to be Holland's lone weakness.
Fair or not, what they will expect from Jones immediately will be a dedication to the recruitment process. That, the coach understands.
"If there is a way to the next level, it will be recruiting," Jones said. "I'm not content to keep things where they are."
Jones has been busy these past few weeks. The Roanoke meeting, Jones said, was his eighth or ninth with the alumni. He arrived late because his flight on a private plane was canceled and he had to drive.
He had been busy in his office trying to hire his second assistant. Brian Ellerbe from South Carolina already is on the job, but Jones has learned firsthand about rejection. Dave Leitao of Connecticut has turned him down.
"I hope to have it done by this weekend," he said. "I'm anxious to get started."
Jones knows he has a unique opportunity. How many first-year coaches have inherited a 20-win squad with its top seven players back, plus two redshirts and three recruits? "I can't tell you how happy I am," he said.
Of course, he will be expected to win. The son of a coach who won big and also has been fired, Jones knows the risks and rewards of the business. He is confident, not cocky. But he knows the same audience may not be so gracious next year.
Jones said the Cavaliers' 1990-91 schedule had to be revised because of the NCAA-imposed probation that will keep Maryland off TV. "The Maryland situation changed six or seven games," he said.
UVa is seeking relief from a Saturday-Sunday weekend that would find the Cavs on the road at Georgia Tech and Notre Dame.
In the near future, Jones said, UVa is bringing Virginia Tech, Vanderbilt, California, Stanford, Notre Dame, Minnesota, New Orleans and Marquette to University Hall.
That means Lou Campanelli of California will be returning to the state where he once coached, at James Madison. That means Mike Montgomery of Stanford will be coming to the school that might have hired him, thus denying Jones the job.
And, along with Notre Dame and Vandy, Virginia will begin series with schools with which it has academic ties.
The visit by the Hokies, Jones said, means the two rivals will begin playing twice a year in '91-92. In recent years, they have played just once, on a neutral court.
Responding to questions, Jones said that Curtis Williams, the junior college transfer who didn't make it academically last season, had joined the military, and that two players were on the injured list. Doug Smith tore cartilage in his left ankle and will undergo surgery today. And freshman redshirt Shawn Wilson, the tallest man on the squad, may require foot surgery.
by CNB